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This grant has expired.

This grant has expired and is no longer available. However, please contact Avant Group in case there are alternative grants available or to be informed if this grant will reopen.

Worker and Employer Advisory Services Grants

NSW Worker and Employer Advisory Services Grants

  • Worker Grant: Up to $2,400,000 excluding GST over the full grant term to establish and deliver a free, independent advisory service for workers.
  • Employer Grant: Up to $2,400,000 excluding GST over the full grant term to establish and deliver a free, independent advisory service for employers.
  • An applicant may submit one application only and cannot apply for both grants.
  • The final grant value will be negotiated based on the applicant’s proposed budget and project plan.
  • Target delivery period: 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2029.
  • Advisory Services must commence by 1 January 2027.
  • Applications close: 23 September 2026 at 5:00 pm AEST
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The NSW Worker and Employer Advisory Services Grants will fund two free and independent services to help workers and employers understand and navigate the NSW workers compensation scheme, including the 2026 reforms. Separate grants are available for a Worker Advisory Service and an Employer Advisory Service. Each grant provides up to $2.4 million excluding GST over a three-year term. Funded services will provide personalised advice through telephone, email and online channels, maintain a dedicated website, manage service data through a secure system, and undertake promotional and educational activities.

The program aims to improve knowledge, support informed participation, promote early intervention, recovery and return to work, and strengthen confidence in the workers compensation scheme. Applicants must be not-for-profit organisations operating in NSW and demonstrate the independence, capability, knowledge, governance and resources required to deliver services across metropolitan, regional and remote NSW.

Key Requirements

  • Education and improved knowledge: Improve workers’ or employers’ understanding of the NSW workers compensation scheme, including changes introduced through the 2026 reforms.
  • Independent participation: Enable workers and employers to make informed decisions and participate effectively in the workers compensation scheme through credible and independent advice.
  • Early intervention, recovery and return to work: Improve understanding of claims, injury management and return-to-work processes to support earlier intervention, recovery and improved social and health outcomes.
  • Confidence and trust: Provide independent and accessible advice that strengthens stakeholder confidence in the fairness, accessibility and operation of the scheme.
  • Representative capability: Demonstrate the capacity to represent workers or employers broadly and provide equitable access for people across metropolitan, regional and remote NSW.
  • Operational independence: Maintain appropriate governance and conflict management arrangements. Advisory Service activities must be separated from industrial, advocacy, legal, insurance, commercial and other organisational functions.
  • Scheme expertise: Demonstrate a sound understanding of the NSW workers compensation scheme, the 2026 reforms, current trends and applicable obligations.
  • Feasible delivery model: Present a clear delivery model, implementation timeline, three-year resourcing plan, risk management plan and itemised budget.
  • Benefits and evaluation: Explain how the service will produce measurable benefits and how delivery, outcomes and impact will be monitored, evaluated and reported.
  • Value for money: Demonstrate that the proposed expenditure represents an efficient, effective, economical and ethical use of funding

What is eligible for funding?

  • Establishing and operating a dedicated toll-free telephone advice service during standard business hours.
  • Establishing and operating a dedicated email support service.
  • Providing an online inquiry form.
  • Providing personalised, independent advice and support to workers or employers.
  • Providing additional support channels, such as online chat, where these contribute to the program objectives and remain within the grant budget.
  • Developing and maintaining a dedicated, independent and standalone website.
  • Producing and maintaining current workers compensation guides, factsheets, videos, frequently asked questions and other resources.
  • Establishing a secure and stable customer relationship management database.
  • Collecting de-identified service information and reporting data.
  • Developing and implementing a promotion and communication plan.
  • Developing and distributing promotional and educational resources.
  • Promoting evidence-based tools and resources from trusted sources.
  • Delivering engagement and educational activities, including conferences, seminars, presentations, association meetings and events.
  • Developing a distribution plan for promotional and educational materials.

What companies are eligible for funding?

Eligible applicants must:

  • Be operating in NSW.
  • Be a legally constituted Australian entity, including a company, incorporated association or unincorporated association.
  • Operate on a not-for-profit basis, such as an industry association, union, charity or representative body.
  • Have a physical office in NSW.
  • Employ staff directly in NSW to deliver the Advisory Service.
  • Hold a current NSW Workers Compensation Insurance policy issued by the Nominal Insurer.
  • Hold public liability insurance of at least $20 million.
  • Submit a detailed proposal and budget aligned with the objectives of the relevant grant.
  • Apply for either the Worker Grant or the Employer Grant, not both.
  • Submit only one application for the selected grant.

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Targeted Competitive. Your application will be assessed among other applications by a judging panel.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging a professional government grant writer consultant. Avant Group is Australia’s largest independent grants advisory firm. Find out more about our government grant writing and consulting service here. 

How can I get help understanding if I’m eligible for this grant? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility for funding and will assess your likelihood of a successful grant application.